He seems somewhat taken aback by your smile... but returns with one of his own. Small, but enough to crinkle the skin around his eyes.
"Shawnie is gifted with words," he say. "She can say the same thing a thousand different ways."
"I'm not sure that's a compliment."
"It is," he promises. "She was my—is like a sister to me. An annoying, unstoppable, amazing sister. But when it comes to you, she's made no secret of what she wants... and she's good at getting what she wants."
A loud crash.
Izzie's voice rings out. "It wasn't me! It wasn't me! She did it!"
"Nah-ah!" Hani yells out. "It was you! I saw!"
You turn to see a fallen chair, a puddle of spilt beer, and Izzie and Hani glaring daggers at each other.
"Hani," Farro growls, surging forward to pull her back just as Elma materialises out of the crowd to do the same to Izzie.
You sigh and lean back against the bar, watching Farro and Addie apologise to each other.
It takes a few minutes, but eventually Phil turns to you, his smile wide and happy. "What can I get you?"
Smart. It's time to hydrate!"
You take your drink and turn back to the party.
Farro is back at the bar with a fresh glass of orange juice. Hani is on the stool beside him, arms crossed, radiating anger. You notice Farro's gaze flick towards you then away. He's seen you... though he is pretending he hasn't.
An arm wrestling contest has started. Because of course it has. So far, your pack is winning... though only by a thin margin. You look at the bulging, muscular arms of the current competitors and decide to sit this one out.